ABS CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel OverviewInstrument Panel Overview.....3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers.......3-5
Horn....................................3-5
Tilt and Telescopic Steering
Wheel................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever.................................3-6
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals...............................3-6
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer.............................3-7
Flash-to-Pass........................3-7
Windshield Wipers.................3-7
Windshield Washer................3-8
Rear Window Wiper/Washer. . .3-9
Cruise Control......................3-9
Exterior Lamps....................3-11
Delayed Headlamps.............3-12
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)/Automatic
Headlamp System..............3-12
Fog Lamps.........................3-13
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................3-13Courtesy Lamps..................3-14
Dome Lamps......................3-14
Dome Lamp Override...........3-14
Entry Lighting......................3-14
Delayed Entry Lighting.........3-15
Delayed Exit Lighting...........3-15
Parade Dimming..................3-15
Reading Lamps...................3-15
Electric Power
Management.....................3-15
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s). . . .3-17
Power Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current.............3-18
Climate ControlsClimate Control System........3-19
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System..................3-22
Outlet Adjustment................3-27
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System.................3-28
Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System and
Electronic Climate
Controls............................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators..........................3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster.......3-31
Speedometer and
Odometer.........................3-32
Tachometer........................3-32
Safety Belt Reminders..........3-32
Airbag Readiness Light.........3-33
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator...........................3-33
Charging System Light.........3-34
Voltmeter Gage...................3-35
Brake System Warning
Light................................3-36
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light...........3-37
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light. . . .3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light....................3-38
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage.............3-38
Tire Pressure Light..............3-39
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp..................3-39
Oil Pressure Light................3-42
Security Light......................3-43
Instrument Panel 3-1

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn
if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on while
driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off.A chime may also sound when the
light comes on steady. Then start
the engine again to reset the system.
If the ABS light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not
antilock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-36.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56for all brake related
DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light comes on briey while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is
working normally the indicator
light goes off.
If it stays on, or comes on while
driving, there could be a problem
with the StabiliTrak system and the
vehicle might need service. When
this warning light is on, the system
is off and will not limit wheel spin.
Instrument Panel 3-37

DIC Warnings and
Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status of
the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear
one after another.
Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you can
press any of the DIC buttons on the
instrument panel or the trip odometer
reset stem on the instrument panel
cluster to acknowledge that you
received the messages and to
clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display because they
are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can becleared. You should take any
messages that appear on the display
seriously and remember that clearing
the messages will only make the
messages disappear, not correct
the problem.
The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed
and some information about them.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays when there is a compact
spare tire on the vehicle, when
the Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning light comes on, or when the
rear differential uid is overheating.
This message turns off when
the differential uid cools.
The AWD system is disabled until
the compact spare tire is replaced
by a full-size tire. If the warningmessage is still on after putting on
the full-size tire, you need to reset
the warning message. To reset the
warning message, turn the ignition
off and then back on again after
30 seconds. If the message stays on,
see your dealer/retailer right away.
SeeAll-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
on page 4-7for more information.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned off.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned on.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds.
3-56 Instrument Panel

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and
the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy............................4-1
Defensive Driving..................4-2
Drunk Driving.......................4-2
Control of a Vehicle...............4-3
Braking................................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).....................4-4
Braking in Emergencies..........4-5
StabiliTrak
®System...............4-5
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System..............................4-7
Steering...............................4-8
Off-Road Recovery................4-9
Passing...............................4-9Loss of Control...................4-10
Driving at Night...................4-10
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads.......................4-11
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip..........................4-12
Highway Hypnosis...............4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads......4-13
Winter Driving.....................4-14
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow. . . .4-16
Rocking Your Vehicle to
GetItOut.........................4-16
Loading the Vehicle.............4-16
TowingTowing Your Vehicle............4-21
Recreational Vehicle
Towing.............................4-21
Towing a Trailer..................4-25
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy;
tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some
people drive in spurts — heavy
acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace
with traffic. This is a mistake. The
brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will
wear out much faster with a lot of
heavy braking. Keeping pace with
the traffic and allowing realistic
following distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while
the vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the brakes.
If the brakes are pumped, the
pedal could get harder to push down.If the engine stops, there will still be
some power brake assist but it will
be used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake
pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 3-37.
Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
4-4 Driving Your Vehicle

As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and let
antilock work. The antilock pump or
motor operating might be heard and
the brake pedal might be felt to
pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help more
than even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist
feature designed to assist the
driver in stopping or decreasing
vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.Minor brake pedal pulsations or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates
The Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has the StabiliTrak
system which combines antilock
brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver
maintain directional control of the
vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start the vehicle and
begin to drive away, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-5

It may also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme
off-road conditions where high wheel
spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-16.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part
of the StabiliTrak system. Traction
control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine
speed management) and by applying
brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is
enabled automatically when the
vehicle is started. It will activate
and the StabiliTrak light will ash
if it senses that any of the wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose
traction while driving. If traction
control is turned off, only the
brake-traction control portion of
traction control will work. The engine
speed management will be disabled.In this mode, engine power is not
reduced automatically and the driven
wheels can spin more freely. This
can cause the brake-traction control
to activate constantly.
Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle
is allowed to spin excessively
while the StabiliTrak, ABS and
brake warning lights and any
relevant DIC messages are
displayed, the transfer case could
be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and
messages are displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens, a
reduction in acceleration may be
noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.If cruise control is being used when
the system activates, the StabiliTrak
light will ash and cruise control will
automatically disengage. Cruise
control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. SeeCruise
Control on page 3-9.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
If the problem does not clear itself
after restarting the vehicle, see your
dealer/retailer for service.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If the vehicle has this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels when
extra traction is needed. This is like
four-wheel drive, but there is no
separate lever or switch to engage
or disengage the axle. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-7

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of
the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable care
suited to existing conditions, and by
not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the steering
or cornering skid, too much speed
or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, the vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your driving
to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces
because stopping distance is longer
and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn torecognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than
day driving because some drivers
are likely to be impaired — by alcohol
or drugs, with night vision problems,
or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
4-10 Driving Your Vehicle

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or
ice between the tires and the road,
creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when
freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in even less traction. Avoid driving on
wet ice or in freezing rain until roads
can be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.TheStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-5improves the ability to
accelerate on slippery roads,
but slow down and adjust your
driving to the road conditions. When
driving through deep snow, turn off
the traction control part of the
StabiliTrak
®System to help maintain
vehicle motion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-4improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on a
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of
a curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
4-14 Driving Your Vehicle